Eating a balanced diet is essential for children’s cognitive development, and among the key nutrients is omega-3, a fundamental component that positively influences students’ memory and academic performance.
Food is the fuel for the brain. For school-aged children, nutrition is essential not only for their physical growth but also for their memory and learning development.
How can I be aware that my child is eating healthy?
Mainly, it is about a diet that includes all food groups in adequate amounts: such as proteins (tuna, sardines, beef, and chicken) for body growth and repair, carbohydrates and fiber (vegetables and fruits, rice, oats, legumes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn) for daily energy, and healthy fats (avocado, olive oil and nuts) to support brain and hormonal development.
Some foods are considered “superfoods” and tuna and sardines are among them due to their high contribution of nutrients of high biological value, which support cognitive development and motor function in children. Among the nutrients that tuna and sardines have that contribute to the development of learning, memory, and behavior are omega 3 and vitamins B12 and B6.
Tuna and sardines belong to the family of blue fish, which means they are rich in omega-3 and have 2 essential fatty acids for the development of memory and learning: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These nutrients are found directly in tuna and sardines. They also contain B vitamins (B6 and B12), which are essential for brain and nervous system function. In 3 ounces of tuna and/or sardines there are approximately 0.8 g of omega-3.